Adams is best-known for owning the Houston Oilers … and then taking them to Nashville and turning them into the Tennessee Titans in 1997. Adams has been a hoot in Tennessee, and famously flicked off Bills fans in 2009.

Adams was always brash and aggressive. He went after Billy Cannon of LSU and outbid the NFL for his services, and brought George Blanda in as his quarterback. His Oilers won the first two AFL championships and played in the title game each of the first three years that the fledgling league was in existence.

He is tied to both Lamar Hunt and Ralph Wilson as founding fathers of the league that would challenge – then join forces with – the NFL to make it what it is today. The other two are in the Hall of Fame; Adams, like Art Modell, faced the hurdle of being the unpopular owner who moved a franchise and did not get selected for the HOF while alive.

The old Houston Oilers had already received bad news this weekend, when Bum Phillips, the big Cowboy hat-wearing coach of the Luv Ya Blue Oilers, and father of Wade, passed away on Friday.

Jason McIntyre

Spent a few years as a sportswriter in newspapers, then a few years as a magazine reporter, and freelanced for many outlets before starting The Big Lead in 2006. It was sold in 2010 and acquired by USA Today in 2012. Jason can also be heard on Fox Sports Radio, Saturday mornings from 6-9 am EST.